Overview

• Apple's iOS 18.4 update introduces Matter protocol support for robot vacuums, allowing users to control devices via the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more.
• Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are actively rolling out firmware updates to enable Matter compatibility, with Roborock updates expected to complete by April 10.
• The integration supports basic functions such as starting, stopping, switching modes, and specifying rooms to clean but lacks advanced features like mapping and zone configuration.
• Roborock's OmniGrip feature, introduced at CES 2025, expands functionality for select models by enabling them to pick up small objects like socks and towels.
• Apple's adoption of Matter strengthens its smart home ecosystem, while Google Home lags behind in integrating the protocol for robot vacuums.